The Sibling Project: Episode 5 - Beth Glowacki

The Growing Up Chaotic Show

According to SAMHSA, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, nearly 24.6 million Americans were illicit drug users in 2013. Now just for a moment, take that number and try to imagine the number of people that were impacted by that illicit drug use. Think about the families. Think about the number of mothers, fathers, cousins, grandfathers, co-workers and best friends. Think about all the people that were pulled into and torn apart by the viscous cycle of addiction. Clearly, the numbers are staggering and the heartache is real and we need to start talking about it. That’s why I’ve created The Sibling Project: Exploring How The Lives of Siblings Are Impacted By Addiction. Over the next several weeks, I will be speaking one on one with a group who’s voice we rarely if ever get to hear, the siblings of addicts and alcoholics. It is my hope, with this series of podcasts, that we can spark a new conversation that focuses on the countless number of siblings living and struggling alongside an addicted loved one. In this fifth and final episode, I'm talking with Beth. Beth is currently a senior at the University of California-Berkley. So on one hand she's got this fantastic new chapter in her life that she's ready to open and explore. But on the other hand, at home, her oldest brother is struggling with a heroin addiction, while her other brother tragically died from a painkiller overdose in 2011. Unfortunately, Beth's story is not uncommon in the heartbreaking world of addiction.